Psychological Safety
While there is a lot of discussion about psychological safety at work, not much is said about the feeling of psychological safety with close family and friends. We may be taking this for granted but it is most important in our personal space. One indicator of psychological safety is our ability to be who we are, disagree, and share how we feel without inhibitions. A space of non-judgment and trust is vital for healthy relationships.
“We will practice courage in our family by showing up, letting ourselves be seen, and honoring vulnerability. We will share our stories of struggle and strength. There will always be room in our home for both.” – The Wholehearted Parenting Manifesto by Berne Brown
Confidence
One of the stories I heard from someone I knew:
“I had just finished my MBA and I was invited by a friend to his company to facilitate a session for their employees. I went and I did it. They were deeply appreciative of what came out of the session for them. I may not have had all the knowledge and experience as the collective group but I had trust in myself and my ability to conduct the session.”
The person did not fake the confidence but merely acted out of trust in self.
“Don’t pretend to be anything or anyone — simply take action. Do one small brave thing, and then next one will be easier, and soon confidence will flow.” – Katty Kay, The Confidence Code
Finding your anchor
We all have unsettling moments in our day-to-day life. However, what helps us restore our equanimity is unique to us. They are our Anchors. They can be inside or outside us. A a coach I help my clients identify their anchor. For some it can be a silent prayer, for someone else, it could be talking to a loved one. I have learned that
1) It is important to know our anchor(s)
2) Having more than one anchor is helpful and they may evolve over a period
3) When sometimes our anchors fail, it means we need to look within as to what is bothering us.
Anchor helps to quiet our mind and quieting the mind is the first step to clarity.
“In order to realize the worth of the anchor, we need to feel the stress of the storm.” – Corrie Ten Boom, Holocaust survivor, Dutch watchmaker, writer, and public speaker